Method or apparatus for displaying greyscale or color images from binary images

Abstract

An apparatus and method for improving image quality and in particular to an apparatus and method for converting binary images to grey-scale or color images and displaying those images. The apparatus and method utilize the natural process of integration which occurs when a person views images at sufficiently high rates and involves identifying least significant subframes within a group of subframes and reducing the intensity of those subframes or extending the duration of subframes other than the least significant subframes.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for displaying an image on a display with a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving image data comprised of a series of attenuated and unattenuated subframes, wherein the unattenuated subframes are formed by combining precombined subframes;  
       storing the image data in a plurality of storage elements; and  
       displaying the image data in the plurality of pixels.  
     
     
       2. The method of claim  1 , wherein a first frame rate of the unattenuated subframes is lower than a second frame rate of the pre-combined subframes. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim  1 , wherein the unattenuated subframes are binary. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim  1 , wherein the attenuated subframes are not binary. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim  1 , comprising the further step of: 
       modulating the attenuated subframes using intensity modulation.  
     
     
       6. The method of claim  1 , comprising the further step of: 
       modulating the attenuated subframes using pulse modulation.  
     
     
       7. The method of claim  1 , comprising the further step of: 
       grouping the unattenuated subframes in unattenuated subframe groups.  
     
     
       8. The method of claim  7 , wherein the unattenuated subframe groups for an associated image vary in size with each unattenuated subframe group including 2 n  unattenuated subframes, where n is an integer. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim  8 , wherein each unattenuated subframe group is associated with a bit of a digital image value. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim  9 , wherein the digital image value represents an A/D conversion of the associated image. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim  7 , wherein said step of displaying includes sequentially displaying the unattenuated subframes of each unattenuated subframe group. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim  7 , wherein said step of displaying includes not sequentially displaying the unattenuated subframes of each unattenuated subframe group. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim  1 , wherein said step of displaying includes approximately simultaneously displaying, across the plurality of pixels, each of the attenuated and unattenuated subframes. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim  1 , wherein said plurality of storage elements are static. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim  1 , wherein said plurality of storage elements are dynamic. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim  1 , wherein the display is a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  1 , wherein the image is a grey-scale non-color image. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim  1 , wherein the image is a grey-scale color image. 
     
     
       19. A method for displaying an image on a display with a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving image data comprised of a series of attenuated and unattenuated subframes;  
       attenuating the attenuated subframes by approximately a factor of ½ in relation to the unattenuated subframes;  
       storing the image data in a plurality of storage elements; and  
       displaying the image data in the plurality of pixels.  
     
     
       20. A method for displaying an image on a display with a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving image data comprised of a series of attenuated and unattenuated subframes;  
       attenuating the attenuated subframes by approximately a factor of ½ m  in relation to the unattenuated subframes;  
       storing the image data in a plurality of storage elements; and  
       displaying the image data in the plurality of pixels.  
     
     
       21. A method for displaying an image on a display with a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving image data to be displayed at a first rate;  
       subdividing said image data into bit plane subframes;  
       altering said bit plane subframes into new subframes to be displayed; and  
       displaying said new subframes in a manner to achieve visual integration, wherein said step of altering said bit plane subframes comprises:  
       attenuating intensity of lower significant bit subframes to produce attenuated subframes; and  
       combining unattenuated subframes to yield fewer unattenuated subframes.  
     
     
       22. The method of claim  21 , wherein said step of attenuating includes attenuating the intensity of lower significant bit subframes by approximately a factor of ½ in relation to the intensity of unattenuated subframes. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim  21 , wherein said step of attenuating includes attenuating the intensity of lower significant bit subframes by approximately a factor of ½ m  in relation to the intensity of unattenuated subframes. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim  21 , wherein the display is a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim  21 , wherein the image is a grey-scale non-color image. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim  21 , wherein the image is a grey-scale color image. 
     
     
       27. A method for displaying an image on a display with a plurality of pixels, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving image data to be displayed at a first rate;  
       subdividing said image data into bit plane subframes;  
       altering said bit plane subframes into new subframes to be displayed; and  
       displaying said new subframes in a manner to achieve visual integration, wherein said step of altering said bit plane subframes comprises:  
       combining higher significant bit plane subframes to yield fewer bit plane subframes having longer duration.  
     
     
       28. The method of claim  27 , wherein the display is a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim  27 , wherein the image is a grey-scale non-color image. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim  27 , wherein the image is a grey-scale color image.